Spoil definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

spoil in American English · 1. to damage severely or harm (something), esp. · 2. to diminish or impair the quality of; affect detrimentally · 3. to impair, damage, ... EnglishDictionary Thesaurus WordLists Grammar EnglishEasyLearningGrammar GrammarPatterns EnglishUsage TeachingResources VideoGuides Conjugations Sentences Video LearnEnglish Videopronunciations Buildyourvocabulary Quiz Englishgrammar Englishcollocations Englishconfusables Englishidioms Englishusage Thematicwordlists English French German Italian Spanish Portuguese Hindi Chinese Korean Japanese EnglishDictionaryThesaurusSentencesConjugationGrammar Definitionof 'spoil'    WordFrequency Share× Credits× spoil (spɔɪl ) Wordforms:3rdpersonsingularpresent tensespoils ,presentparticiplespoiling ,pasttense,pastparticiplespoiled ,pasttense,pastparticiplespoilt languagenote: AmericanEnglishusestheformspoiledasthepasttenseandpastparticiple.BritishEnglishuseseitherspoiledorspoilt.1. verb Ifyouspoilsomething,youpreventitfrombeingsuccessfulorsatisfactory. It'simportantnottoletmistakesspoilyourlife.[VERBnoun] Peacefulsummereveningscanbespoiltbymosquitoes.[beVERB-ed] Synonyms:ruin,destroy,wreck,damage MoreSynonymsofspoil 2. verb Ifyouspoilchildren,yougivethemeverythingtheywantoraskfor.Thisisconsideredtohaveabadeffectonachild'scharacter. Grandparentsareoftentemptedtospoiltheirgrandchildrenwhenevertheycometo visit.[VERBnoun] Synonyms:overindulge,indulge,pamper,baby MoreSynonymsofspoil spoilt,spoiled adjectiveAspoiltchildisrarelypopularwithotherchildren. Oh,thatchild.He'ssospoiled. 3. verb Ifyouspoilyourselforspoilanotherperson,yougiveyourselforthemsomethingniceasatreatordosomethingspecialforthem. Spoilyourselfwithanewperfumethissummer.[VERBpronoun-reflexive] PerhapsIcouldemploysomeonetoironhershirts,butIwantedtospoilher.[VERBnoun] Synonyms:indulge,treat,pamper,satisfy MoreSynonymsofspoil 4. verb Iffoodspoilsorifitisspoilt,itisnolongerfittobeeaten. Weallknowthatfatsspoilbybecomingrancid.[VERB] Someorganismsareresponsibleforspoilingfoodandcausefoodpoisoning.[VERBnoun] Someofmyappleswerespoiltlastyearbygrubsinsidethefruit.[VERBnoun] ...thepotentialhealthproblemsfromspoiledfood.[VERB-ed] 5. verb Ifsomeonespoilstheirvote,theywritesomethingillegalontheirvotingpaper,usuallyasaprotestabouttheelection,andtheirvoteisnotaccepted. [British]Theyhadbroadcastcallsforvoterstospoiltheirballotpapers.[VERBnoun] Theresultsshowedthat7.2%ofthevoterscastblankorspoiledballots.[VERB-ed] 6. pluralnoun Thespoilsofsomethingarethingsthatpeoplegetasaresultofwinningabattleorofdoingsomethingsuccessfully. Truetomilitarytradition,thevictorsarenowtreatingthemselvestothespoils ofwar. Competingwarlordsandforeignpowersscrambledforpoliticalspoils. 7. Seespoiltforchoice/spoiledforchoice Phrasalverbs:Seespoilfor MoreSynonymsofspoil CollinsCOBUILDAdvancedLearner’sDictionary.Copyright©HarperCollinsPublishers Video:pronunciationof spoil Youmayalsolike EnglishQuizConfusables Synonymsof'spoil' LanguageLover'sBlog FrenchTranslationof'spoil' Translateyourtext PronunciationPlaylists Wordoftheday:'Zond' HindiTranslationof'spoil' NEWfromCollins! EnglishGrammar CollinsApps WordFrequency spoilinBritishEnglish (spɔɪl ) verbWordforms:spoils,spoiling,spoiltorspoiled1. (transitive) tocausedamageto(something),inregardtoitsvalue,beauty,usefulness,etc 2. (transitive) toweakenthecharacterof(achild)bycomplyingunrestrainedlywithitsdesires 3. (transitive) totreat(someone)withgreatkindnessandgenerosity 4. (intransitive) (ofperishablesubstances)tobecomeunfitforconsumptionoruse thefruitmustbeeatenbeforeitspoils 5. (intransitive)sport todisrupttheplayorstyleofone'sopponents,astopreventthemfromsettlingintoarhythm 6. archaic tostrip(apersonorplace)of(propertyorgoods)byforceorviolence 7. Seebespoilingfor noun8. wastematerialthrownupbyanexcavation 9. anytreasureaccumulatedbyaperson thisgoldringwaspartofthespoil 10. obsoletea. theactofplundering b. astrategicallyplacedbuilding,city,etc,capturedasplunder CollinsEnglishDictionary.Copyright©HarperCollinsPublishers WordoriginC13:fromOldFrenchespoillier,fromLatinspoliāretostrip,fromspoliumbooty WordFrequency spoilinAmericanEnglish (spɔɪl ) verbtransitiveWordforms:spoiledorBritishspoilt,ˈspoiling1.  todamageorinjureinsuchawayastomakeuseless,valueless,etc.;destroy 2.  tomarorimpairtheenjoyment,quality,orfunctioningof rainspoiledthepicnic 3.  tooverindulgesoastocausetodemandorexpecttoomuch 4. Archaica.  tostrip(aperson)ofgoods,money,etc.byforce b.  torob;pillage;plunder c.  toseize(goods)byforce verbintransitive5.  tobedamagedorinjuredinsuchawayastobecomeuseless,valueless,etc.;specif., todecay,asfood 6. Archaic topillage;plunder noun7. [usuallypl.]a.  goods,territory,etc.takenbyforceinwar;plunder;loot;booty b. US publicofficestowhichthesuccessfulpoliticalpartyhasthepowerofappointment 8.  anobjectofplunder;prey 9.  wastematerialremovedinmakingexcavations,etc. 10. Archaic theactofplundering;spoliation 11. Obsolete damage;impairment SIMILARWORDS: deˈcay,inˈdulge,ˈinjure Idioms:bespoilingfor SYNONYMYNOTE:spoil(now,morecommonly,spoils)referstoanyproperty,territory,etc.takeninwarbytheconqueror;pillagesuggestsviolenceanddestructivenessinthetakingofspoils;,plunderisequivalentto,pillagebutalsoappliestopropertytakenbybandits,highwaymen,etc.;,booty1suggestsplundertakenbyabandorgang,tobedividedamongthemembers;,prize1refersspecificallytospoilstakenatsea,esp.thetakingofanenemywarshipor itscargo;,loot,amorederogatoryequivalentforanyofthepreceding,emphasizestheimmorality orpredatorynatureoftheactWebster’sNewWorldCollegeDictionary,4thEdition.Copyright©2010by HoughtonMifflinHarcourt.Allrightsreserved. Derivedformsspoilable(ˈspoilable) adjective WordoriginMEspoilenspall,spill1 WordFrequency spoilinAmericanEnglish (spɔil)(verbspoiledorspoilt,spoiling) transitiveverb1. todamageseverelyorharm(something),esp.withreferencetoitsexcellence,value,usefulness,etc. Thewaterstainspoiledthepainting Droughtspoiledthecorncrop 2. todiminishorimpairthequalityof;affectdetrimentally Badweatherspoiledtheirvacation 3. toimpair,damage,orharmthecharacterornatureof(someone)byunwisetreatment,excessiveindulgence,etc. tospoilachildbypamperinghim 4. archaic tostrip(persons,places,etc.)ofgoods,valuables,etc.;plunder;pillage;despoil 5. archaic totakeorseizebyforce intransitiveverb6. tobecomebad,orunfitforuse,asfoodorotherperishablesubstances;becometaintedorputrid Milkspoilsifnotrefrigerated 7. toplunder,pillage,orrob 8. Seebespoilingfor noun9. (oftenspoils) booty,loot,orplundertakeninwarorrobbery 10. theactofplundering 11. anobjectofplundering 12. (usuallyspoils)a. theemolumentsandadvantagesofpublicofficeviewedaswonbyavictoriouspoliticalparty thespoilsofoffice b. prizeswonortreasuresaccumulated achild'sspoilsbroughthomefromaparty 13. wastematerial,asthatwhichiscastupinmining,excavating,quarrying,etc. 14. animperfectlymadeobject,damagedduringthemanufacturingprocess SYNONYMS1.disfigure,destroy,demolish,mar.spoil,ruin,wreckagreeinmeaningtoreducethevalue,quality,usefulness,etc.,ofanything.spoilisthegeneralterm:tospoiladelicatefabric.ruinimpliesdoingcompletelydestructiveorirreparableinjury:toruinone'shealth.wreckimpliesaviolentbreakingupordemolition:towreckoneselfwithdrink;towreckabuilding.Mostmaterial©2005,1997,1991byPenguinRandomHouseLLC.Modifiedentries©2019 byPenguinRandomHouseLLCandHarperCollinsPublishersLtd Derivedformsspoilableadjective spoillessadjective Wordorigin[1300–50;(v.)MEspoilen‹OFespoillier‹Lspoliāretodespoil,equiv.tospoli(um)booty+-āreinf.suffix;(n.)deriv.ofthev.or‹OFespoille,deriv.ofespoillier] Examplesof'spoil'inasentence spoil TheseexampleshavebeenautomaticallyselectedandmaycontainsensitivecontentthatdoesnotreflecttheopinionsorpoliciesofCollins,oritsparentcompanyHarperCollins. Wewelcomefeedback:reportanexamplesentencetotheCollinsteam.Readmore… Ifanythingelseiswrittenitisconsideredaspoiltvoteandisvoid.TheGuardian(2015)Itseemsthehealthsecretaryisspoilingforafight.TheGuardian(2015)Cantoomanyideasspoilpopmusic?TheGuardian(2015)Thisyearthejudgesarespoiltforchoiceacrossallgenres.TheGuardian(2016)Botharefilledwiththespoilsofspring.TheGuardian(2018)Motoristsareabouttobespoiledforchoicewithaglutofeightnewmodels.TheSun(2007)Itcanalsospoilthingsthatshouldbeenjoyable.TheSun(2014)Sheaddedthatshewouldbespoilingherballotinprotest.Times,SundayTimes(2012)Thesespoiltthehistoricbeautyofthecastle.Times,SundayTimes(2006)Wealthbeyonddreams,thespoilsofconquest,nowflowedintothecoffersofthemostimportantoftheseforeigninvaders.AndrewBridgeford1066:andtheHiddenHistoryoftheBayeuxTapestry(2004) COBUILDCollocations spoil  spoilaholiday spoilaparty spoilasurprise spoilaview spoilfood spoilthebroth spoiltheplot Trendsof spoil Viewusagefor: AllYears Last10years Last50years Last100years Last300years Inotherlanguages spoil BritishEnglish:spoil /spɔɪl/VERBruinIfyouspoilsomething,youdamageitorstopitfromworkingasitshould.Don'tspoilthesurprise.AmericanEnglish:spoil /ˈspɔɪl/Arabic:يُفْسِدُ BrazilianPortuguese:estragar Chinese:溺爱 Croatian:pokvariti Czech:pokazit Danish:ødelægge Dutch:bederven EuropeanSpanish:echaraperder Finnish:pilata French:gâter German:verderben SpaßGreek:κακομαθαίνω Italian:viziare Japanese:台無しにする Korean:(...을)망쳐놓다 Norwegian:skjemmebort Polish:popsuć EuropeanPortuguese:estragar Romanian:astricaRussian:портить LatinAmericanSpanish:echaraperder Swedish:fördärva Thai:ทำลายTurkish:berbatetmek Ukrainian:псуватиVietnamese:làmhỏng BritishEnglish:spoil /spɔɪl/VERBchildIfyouspoilchildren,yougivethemeverythingtheywantoraskfor.Grandparentsareoftentemptedtospoiltheirgrandchildrenwhenevertheycometovisit.AmericanEnglish:spoil /ˈspɔɪl/Arabic:يُدَلِّلُBrazilianPortuguese:mimar Chinese:宠溺Croatian:razmazitiCzech:rozmazlitDanish:forkæleDutch:verwennenEuropeanSpanish:consentir Finnish:hemmotellaFrench:gâter enfantsGerman:verwöhnen Greek:κακομαθαίνωItalian:viziare Japanese:甘やかすKorean:망치다Norwegian:skjemmebortPolish:rozpieszczaćEuropeanPortuguese:mimar Romanian:arăsfățaRussian:баловатьLatinAmericanSpanish:malcriar Swedish:skämmabortThai:ตามใจจนเสียคนTurkish:şımartmakUkrainian:балуватиVietnamese:làmhư Translateyourtextforfree Browsealphabetically spoil spodumene spoem spoffish spoil spoilaballot spoilaholiday spoilaparty AllENGLISHwordsthatbeginwith'S' Relatedtermsof spoil spoilfor spoilbank spoilfood spoilground spoilaview Viewmorerelatedwords Source DefinitionofspoilfromtheCollinsEnglishDictionary ReadabouttheteamofauthorsbehindCollinsDictionaries. NewfromCollins QuickwordchallengeQuizReviewQuestion:1 - Score:0/5 attendcourt or reachcourt?Dragthecorrectanswerintothebox. reachcourt attendcourtThetrialmaytakemorethanayearto .slurredspeech or victoryspeech?Dragthecorrectanswerintothebox. victoryspeech slurredspeechHepaidtributetoherinaveryemotional .draftproposal or takeoverproposal?Whichversioniscorrect?Thedraftproposalfollowsastudyoftoothdecay.Thetakeoverproposalfollowsastudyoftoothdecay.divorcebattle or leadershipbattle?Dragthecorrectanswerintothebox. divorcebattle leadershipbattleOnecouplespent£2milliononlawyers'feesina .murderscene or musicscene?Dragthecorrectanswerintothebox. murderscene musicsceneMobilesignalsenabledpolicetoplacethematthe .Yourscore:CheckSeetheanswerNextNextquizReview Oct13,2022 Wordoftheday Zond anyofaseriesofunmannedSovietspacecraft,firstlaunchedin1964asinterplanetaryspaceprobes,themostsuccessfulofwhich,Zond3,sentbackphotographsofthehiddensideofthemoonin1965 SEEFULLDEFINITION SEEPREVIOUSWORDS Signupforournewsletter Getthelatestnewsandgainaccesstoexclusiveupdatesandoffers Signmeup LatestWordSubmissions FOGO Oct07,2022 charitability Oct07,2022 trowellable Oct06,2022 analoghorror Oct04,2022 ViewMoreSubmit TheessentialHouseoftheDragonglossary It’sbeenawhilesincewelastspenttimeinWesterossoit’sonlyfairthatthere’sawholenewglossarytogettoknow! Readmore What’sthedifferencebetweenstingandbite? Thisweekwearelookingattwowordswhicharesometimesconfused:stingandbite.ImproveyourEnglishwithCollins. Readmore Autumntraditionsandtheirlexicon Wediscussautumn,asthecolourfulfallenorfallingleavesandtheshorteningdaysremindusthatitiswellandtrulyhere. Readmore CollinsEnglishDictionaryApps DownloadourEnglishDictionaryapps-availableforbothiOSandAndroid. Readmore CollinsDictionariesforSchools Ournewonlinedictionariesforschoolsprovideasafeandappropriateenvironmentforchildren.Andbestofallit'sadfree,sosignupnowandstartusingathomeorintheclassroom. Readmore Wordlists Wehavealmost200listsofwordsfromtopicsasvariedastypesofbutterflies,jackets,currencies,vegetablesandknots! Amazeyourfriendswithyournew-foundknowledge! Readmore Scrabblescorefor'spoil':7 WordleHelper StuckatWordle?Tryourhelpertomaintainyourcurrentstreak! QuickwordchallengeQuizReviewQuestion:1 - Score:0/5 pidgin or pigeon?Whichversioniscorrect?TheycouldonlyspeakpidginEnglish.TheycouldonlyspeakpigeonEnglish.coarse or course?Whichversioniscorrect? I'dlovetotakeacoarseinFrenchliterature. I'dlovetotakeacourseinFrenchliterature.desert or dessert?Whichversioniscorrect?Thevehicleshavebeenmodifiedtosuitconditionsinthedesert.Thevehicleshavebeenmodifiedtosuitconditionsinthedessert.hear or here?Dragthecorrectanswerintothebox. hear hereI'dloveto itplayedbyaprofessionalorchestra. knead or need?Whichversioniscorrect?Ikneadtomakeaphonecall.Ineedtomakeaphonecall.Yourscore:CheckSeetheanswerNextNextquizReview What’sthedifferencebetweenbassandbase? Thisweekwearelookingattwowordswhicharesometimesconfused:bassandbase.ImproveyourEnglishwithCollins. 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